The academic environment at Dera Natung Government College (DNGC), the state’s premier government-run institution, has completely collapsed as the ongoing All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) election process devolved into widespread violence. What was intended to be a democratic exercise has turned the campus into a “conflict zone,” leaving students and faculty living in a state of constant fear.
The crisis intensified on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning when supporters of candidates whose nominations were rejected clashed violently with police personnel and AAPSU election committee volunteers. The fallout has been devastating: the college’s main entry gates have been locked, effectively trapping staff and residents inside while preventing others from returning to their homes or duties. The violence has not only disrupted DNGC but has also severely impacted the neighboring Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic (RGGP). Academic activities, including classes, seminars, and critical sessional tests, have been suspended intermittently since February 17.
College officials revealed that this crisis was entirely preventable. On February 6, the principal of DNGC and the general secretary of the DNGC Students’ Union formally requested the district administration to deny permission for the election to be held on campus, citing past experiences with violence. “Our plea went unheard,” an official stated, noting that the sanctity of the learning environment has been sacrificed for political activities. The situation has transitioned from an institutional dispute to a humanitarian concern. Nending Ommo, an assistant professor at DNGC, reported that basic supplies have been disrupted and movement is strictly curtailed. “Students and staff are stranded. Some faculty members have been forced to seek shelter in hotels, while others remain trapped within the campus,” Ommo said. He raised urgent questions regarding the safety of residents in the event of a medical emergency, calling the current state of affairs “dire.” The teaching fraternity and campus dwellers are now making a fervent appeal to the Arunachal Pradesh College Teachers’ Forum (APCTF), the Directorate of Higher Education, and the State Government to intervene immediately. There is a growing consensus among the academic community that such high-stakes political events must be permanently shifted away from educational spaces to ensure a safe and conducive environment for students.
As the standoff continues with no clear end in sight, the image of Arunachal’s top educational institutes remains tarnished by the very organizations meant to represent student interests.
